Abertay University

Coming into the course with no prior counselling experience and being one of the younger students was daunting but I quickly began to appreciate the diversity of experience in my peers as well as how my voice fit in and held value in the classroom as well as the wider community of Abertay University.

The learning experience was delivered in a flexible and personable environment with space to reflect amongst peers and lecturers alike as well as engage with multiple resources. The time spent on this course was at it's best when groups could share their insights and views with the intent of helping one another.

Abertay’s online MBA with Cybersecurity equipped me with leadership skills, strategic thinking, and specialised cybersecurity expertise - all while managing the challenges of a full-time role and personal commitments.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when I started the MSc in Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security at Abertay, but looking back, it's hard to overstate how much it changed the trajectory of my career.

I picked Abertay because of its reputation for teaching cyber security in a practical, hands-on way. I didn't want to spend two years buried in theory, I wanted skills I could actually use. The course delivered on that. Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment and security analysis. It all felt grounded in the real world, and the lecturers clearly knew the industry inside out.

I won't pretend it was always easy. I was working part time in cyber security at the same time as studying full time, so there were definitely some long weeks. But the flexibility of the programme and the fact that the staff were genuinely approachable made a big difference. It felt manageable, even when it didn't.

The bit I really didn't see coming was how quickly things moved once I was on the course. About three months in, I went to a jobs fair the university had put on and came away with a job as a Cyber Essentials Assessor. I was still a student.

Since graduating in 2025, things have moved fast. I'm now a Lead Cyber Assessor and penetration tester, delivering Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and IASME Level 1 and 2 certifications, as well as Penetration Tests. I've picked up my VA+ qualification and I'm working towards CSTM, all within my first year in the field.

Abertay gave me the foundation I needed, but also the connections and opportunities to hit the ground running. If you're thinking about it, I'd say go for it.

During the final years of my undergraduate in Computer Science, Cyber Security became my particular area of interest, and soon I was in the process of looking for pathways to further my knowledge and skills within that domain. My penultimate year of undergraduate study saw me diagnosed with ADHD, and as such, Abertay's more hands-on approach to modules, where theory is all supported by consistent practical work and real-world tools stood out to me as a much more accessible and intuitive method of learning. Throughout my tenure here at Abertay, this has proven to be consistently true; access to hands-on labs at all hours, supported by an uplifting community, headed by helpful, responsive staff members and fellow students alike created an environment where I felt not only that the specific struggles that come with my ADHD in regards to learning were much more easily manageable, but where I could really thrive.

On top of the community here, the University itself has provided networking opportunities through larger annual conferences such as Securi-Tay, as well as speakers and contacts through the Ethical Hacking society and lectures from outside guest speakers across a number of fields. The careers service themselves has also proven to be proactive, actually reaching out to us with opportunities for internships, job postings and resources to use for our own professional development such as CV reviews, newsletters, information on drop-in sessions and directions to external resources for grad jobs and other career boards.

My experience at Abertay has been consistently uplifting, free rein on how I approach problems and learning, helped by a supportive community, great atmosphere on campus and constant access to help and support whenever I required it.

As someone from an Indian background, studying MSc Counselling at Abertay University has been truly enriching and life-changing for me. I especially liked how the course balanced online and in-person learning, making it flexible and engaging.
The most memorable part for me was the welcoming and supportive community built by the lecturers and students. The course values different personalities and viewpoints, and I always felt comfortable sharing my thoughts. This made it a safe place to grow, reflect, and learn.
The teaching was well researched, and the lecturers always shared helpful resources that deepened our understanding beyond class. I appreciated how the programme combined theory and practice. The course pushed us to grow both academically and personally, encouraging self-exploration and professional growth.
Another highlight was hearing from guest speakers and professionals from different organisations. These sessions gave us real insight into counselling practice and helped us build useful professional connections.
The programme also gave me important tools to keep building self-awareness, both for myself and in how I support future clients. The focus on reflection, empathy, and personal growth has been especially meaningful to me.
I have really enjoyed my time at Abertay and feel proud of the knowledge, confidence, and connections I have gained. The MSc Counselling course is unique, and it has prepared me to start my career with both skill and authenticity.

When I was deciding where to study my postgraduate degree in Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity, Abertay stood out for one reason above all others: its emphasis on hands-on, practical learning over purely theoretical content. I wasn't disappointed.
From the very start, the course felt accessible and well-structured. Module materials were written clearly enough that even someone without a technical background could follow the steps and achieve real outcomes - yet the depth was absolutely there for those who wanted to push further. The lecturers genuinely know their subjects, and what I found especially valuable was the one-on-one attention. If I had a question mid-lecture, help was right there. If I needed to follow up after class, reaching out was never an issue.
Assignment briefs follow the same clear structure - all the information you need is laid out from the start, so you're never left guessing what's expected of you. Crucially for a course like this, students have access to the university labs not just during term time but also outside of it, up to dedicated hours. Whether you're practising module exercises or working through an assignment that requires specialist tools, that access is always there. It's a small thing on paper, but it speaks to how genuinely the university looks out for its students.
Beyond the classroom, I had the opportunity to serve as a class representative, which gave me direct experience working with module leaders to raise student concerns - whether academic or otherwise. Seeing how seriously Abertay takes that feedback loop made me feel genuinely supported throughout my studies.
The career support has also been exceptional. The university stays in touch with students, sending regular follow-ups on how your journey is progressing and flagging relevant job opportunities in your field. For our course specifically, events like Securi-Tay, Abertay's annual cybersecurity conference - were a real highlight. Getting to meet recruiters face-to-face, attend practical workshops, and understand what the industry actually looks like right now added a layer of value that no module alone could provide.
Choosing Abertay has been one of the best decisions I've made. I'm proud to call myself an Abertay graduate.